N.C. lawmakers attend special 'Iron Man 3' screening

Published: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 8:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 8:36 p.m.

Catching up on Iron Man and Iron Man 2 with his son, Stephen, so they would be prepared for Sunday's screening of Iron Man 3 at the Regal Mayfaire Cinema 16.

"We had to keep pausing it so he could make phone calls," Stephen McIntyre said.

Lines for the 5 o'clock screening, which was for cast and crew, as well as various local politicians, extended out the door.

"These are the people who made the movie and it's my crew, it's our crew," said Charles Newirth, Iron Man 3's executive producer. "So we want them to take a look, see how they toiled, some of them for over a year and what the fruits of their labor have become and it's a phenomenal film. It's a blast. They're going to be blown away by it."

Newirth has been outspoken about how much he and his family enjoyed their time in Wilmington, and that continued on Sunday.

"We flew in last night and as soon as we got here, my wife said ‘I'm getting very nostalgic.' Today we went out to lunch and she didn't go out with us, she walked the beach, she was checking real estate ads," Newirth said. "We loved it here. This is a phenomenal place to live."

Also in attendance on Sunday was Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, who took the chance to make the case for North Carolina's film incentives, noting that the six studios he represents spent $420 million in the state in 2011.

"In a time when the national economy is sputtering along and obviously every place would like to be better, this state has been designated or chosen by this industry and not just the big studios," he said. "Others come here because it's a great place to work, they're great people, they love the venues."

House bill 994, which is supported by local Reps. Rick Catlin and Chris Millis, would eliminate the existing 25 percent tax credit — which has a $20 million cap — and instead waive any tax liability the company builds up over the next five years to an equivalent amount.

Newirth agreed with Dodd, noting that Iron Man 3 spent $109 million in North Carolina despite receiving the maximum $20 million tax credit.

"The incentive is critical for us," Newirth said. "It's just the way the state and industry functions these days, so I truly hope they see the good wisdom of continuing that because it will certainly help attract other films and TV shows here."

Sharon Decker, North Carolina's secretary of commerce, has been a vocal supporter of keeping the film incentive as is.

"I'm fearful that if we don't have (credits), that we're saying we're not interested in the film industry, and we're very interested in the film industry," Decker said. "So I think it's important for us to have the tools that are necessary to stay competitive."

Decker added that the state also needs to look at the tax rates so that some of the people in the film industry will choose Wilmington as their home.

"Increasingly we want the base of the film industry to grow here so people come here and not only come based on projects, but come and live and stay and invest in the state," she said.

While Newirth may not be moving to the Port City anytime soon because his children are in school in California, he is wide open to the possibility of shooting another film in the Cape Fear region.

<p>How did U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., spend his weekend? </p><p>Catching up on Iron Man and Iron Man 2 with his son, Stephen, so they would be prepared for Sunday's screening of Iron Man 3 at the Regal Mayfaire Cinema 16.</p><p>"We had to keep pausing it so he could make phone calls," Stephen McIntyre said.</p><p>Lines for the 5 o'clock screening, which was for cast and crew, as well as various local politicians, extended out the door.</p><p>"These are the people who made the movie and it's my crew, it's our crew," said Charles Newirth, Iron Man 3's executive producer. "So we want them to take a look, see how they toiled, some of them for over a year and what the fruits of their labor have become and it's a phenomenal film. It's a blast. They're going to be blown away by it."</p><p>Newirth has been outspoken about how much he and his family enjoyed their time in Wilmington, and that continued on Sunday.</p><p>"We flew in last night and as soon as we got here, my wife said 'I'm getting very nostalgic.' Today we went out to lunch and she didn't go out with us, she walked the beach, she was checking real estate ads," Newirth said. "We loved it here. This is a phenomenal place to live."</p><p>Newirth added that his favorite eateries were Boca Bay, Brasserie du Soleil and especially Causeway Cafe, where he'd regularly grab breakfast.</p><p>Also in attendance on Sunday was Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, who took the chance to make the case for North Carolina's film incentives, noting that the six studios he represents spent $420 million in the state in 2011.</p><p>"In a time when the national economy is sputtering along and obviously every place would like to be better, this state has been designated or chosen by this industry and not just the big studios," he said. "Others come here because it's a great place to work, they're great people, they love the venues."</p><p>House bill 994, which is supported by local Reps. Rick Catlin and Chris Millis, would eliminate the existing 25 percent tax credit — which has a $20 million cap — and instead waive any tax liability the company builds up over the next five years to an equivalent amount.</p><p>Newirth agreed with Dodd, noting that Iron Man 3 spent $109 million in North Carolina despite receiving the maximum $20 million tax credit.</p><p>"The incentive is critical for us," Newirth said. "It's just the way the state and industry functions these days, so I truly hope they see the good wisdom of continuing that because it will certainly help attract other films and TV shows here."</p><p>Sharon Decker, North Carolina's secretary of commerce, has been a vocal supporter of keeping the film incentive as is.</p><p>"I'm fearful that if we don't have (credits), that we're saying we're not interested in the film industry, and we're very interested in the film industry," Decker said. "So I think it's important for us to have the tools that are necessary to stay competitive."</p><p>Decker added that the state also needs to look at the tax rates so that some of the people in the film industry will choose Wilmington as their home.</p><p>"Increasingly we want the base of the film industry to grow here so people come here and not only come based on projects, but come and live and stay and invest in the state," she said.</p><p>While Newirth may not be moving to the Port City anytime soon because his children are in school in California, he is wide open to the possibility of shooting another film in the Cape Fear region.</p><p>"I love Wilmington," he said. "I want to come back."</p><p><i></p><p>Adam Wagner: 343-2096</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @adamwagner1990</i></p>